Naperville is one of many great areas to live in Illinois and the Midwest. There are countless things to do in the city, whether you visit the Naperville Riverwalk, explore the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, visit one of the many restaurants in Naperville, or tour the Naper Settlement, an outdoor museum where you can learn about Naperville’s history and culture. No wonder 149,500 people live in Naperville.
As you start your homebuying or renting journey, there are four key points to know. The housing market is somewhat competitive, the median home sale price is $465,000, the average sale price per square foot is $211, and the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment in Naperville is $2,093.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve collected the 8 best affordable suburbs near Naperville, IL, to consider moving to. And they’re all less than 25 minutes away from the city center. That way, you can live nearby without paying the price of living in Naperville.
#1: Romeoville
Median home price: $245,000
Average sale price per square foot: $155
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,093
Driving distance from Naperville: 20 minutes
Romeoville, IL homes for sale
Romeoville, IL apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of nearly $220K less than Naperville, Romeoville lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Naperville suburb. Just about a 20-minute drive away from Naperville, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to Romeoville, make sure to explore the O’Hara Woods Preserve or check out Isle a la Cache Museum.
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#2: Warrenville
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Median home price: $270,000
Average sale price per square foot: $188
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,418
Driving distance from Naperville: 15 minutes
Warrenville, IL homes for sale
Warrenville, IL apartments for rent
Just a little more expensive than Romeoville is the town of Warrenville. Only 15 minutes from the city center, you can visit the Naperville Riverwalk in just a quick drive. Make sure to visit the beautiful Warrenville Grove and the rest of the Blackwell Forest Preserve, or take a stroll through historic Downtown Warrenville and check out the unique shops and restaurants.
#3: West Chicago
Median home price: $310,000
Average sale price per square foot: $175
Driving distance from Naperville: 25 minutes
West Chicago, IL homes for sale
West Chicago, IL apartments for rent
25 minutes away from downtown, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of West Chicago. From parks and outdoor recreation to shopping and dining, there are lots of things that make West Chicago a great place to live. Make sure to explore the West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve if you move to our third most affordable Naperville suburb.
#4: Bolingbrook
Median home price: $320,000
Average sale price per square foot: $171
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,357
Driving distance from Naperville: 20 minutes
Bolingbrook, IL homes for sale
Bolingbrook, IL apartments for rent
A little more expensive than West Chicago is Bolingbrook, the next suburb on our list. With roughly 73,900 residents in this Naperville suburb, make sure to spend the day at Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park, tour the Illinois Aviation Museum, or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
#5: Woodridge
Median home price: $335,000
Average sale price per square foot: $179
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,662
Driving distance from Naperville: 10 minutes
Woodridge, IL homes for sale
Woodridge, IL apartments for rent
Drive 10 minutes outside Naperville, and you’ll find the suburb of Woodridge. With 34,200 people living in this affordable town, Woodridge is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Naperville without paying the premium for a home in the city. Living in Woodridge, you can enjoy the afternoon at one of the many parks like Lake Harriet Park, visit the Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park, and ice skate or play hockey at Seven Bridges Ice Arena.
#6: Plainfield
Median home price: $339,900
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Driving distance from Naperville: 20 minutes
Plainfield, IL homes for sale
Plainfield, IL apartments for rent
Another noteworthy suburb near Naperville, IL, is Plainfield, where the median home sale price is about $130K less than in Naperville. Home to roughly 44,800 people, Plainfield is a great suburb to consider moving to. There are lots of activities in this suburb – you can hike the trails at Lake Renwick Preserve, visit the Lockport Street Gallery, and explore the Plainfield Historic District, among many other local favorites.
#7: Winfield
Median home price: $365,250
Average sale price per square foot: $173
Driving distance from Naperville: 20 minutes
Winfield, IL homes for sale
Winfield, IL apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable suburbs near Naperville, IL, is Winfield, which is only a 20-minute drive into the city center. With a population of close to 9,800, living in Winfield is a great alternative to city life. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit the Winfield Historical Museum, take a stroll around the Winfield Town Square, or spend the afternoon at one of the local parks.
#8: Downers Grove
Median home price: $398,500
Average sale price per square foot: $196
Driving distance from Naperville: 20 minutes
Downers Grove, IL homes for sale
Downers Grove, IL apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable suburbs near Naperville, IL, is Downers Grove. Roughly 50,200 residents call this affordable suburb home, so you’ll have a fraction of Naperville’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Once moving to Downers Grove, you’ll want to visit the Downers Grove Museum, check out the historic downtown Downers Grove, or go for a hike at Lyman Woods.
Affordable things to do in Naperville
1. Walk downtown Naperville
“My favorite thing to do within the cozy suburb of Naperville is walk around downtown Naperville with my two dogs,” suggests local photographer Jillian Hoffman. “I love to explore the beautiful scenery of the river walk and grab a sweet treat along the way for myself and my companions. There is no bad time to explore the beautiful downtown area with so much to see and do.”
2. Naperville Jaycees Last Fling
“The Naperville Jaycees Last Fling takes place over Labor Day Weekend each year,” recommends Karen Coleman. “It is a free event to attend event including a carnival, music, food and fun and is the very best way to end the summer.”
3. Stroll the Riverwalk
“My favorite thing to do in Downtown Naperville is to stroll along the Riverwalk,” suggests Ask Aunt V. “The scenery is lovely all year long. It is fun for all ages because there is something for everyone, like watching wildlife, visiting playgrounds, exercising, and listening to music.”
Sheena Magnesen Photography also recommends this budget-friendly activity, “My favorite thing to do in Naperville is to walk along the river walk. There are plenty of restaurants and boutiques to visit, but the water and covered bridges are beautiful landmarks to wander around. Packing a picnic and sitting in one of the many parks is one of my family’s favorite things.”
4. St. James Farm Forest Preserve
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Naperville and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Naperville. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com November 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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